Hopefully, somebody will correct me if I am wrong, but... A .30-30 with a 150 gr jacketed bullet is a totally different critter than a .30-06 with a 180 gr bullet.

I am trying to think of a do-all powder for those loads in those two very different cartridges. To wring out the best potential of a .30-06 loaded with a 180, I would load IMR-4350 and not look back, but I reckon that powder is waaay too slow to work in your .30-30 loaded with 150's. IMR-3031 might work for both of those loads, but you won't be doing the .30-06/180 gr combination any favors at all. H4895 might work okay in both of those loads - - but don't quote me on that (I don't have any manuals in front of me right now) - - but again, you may not be getting the best out of either cartridge with that powder.

I am anxious to see if anyone else coughs up some ideas for you, but IMO, those two loads, in those two cartridges are just too different to get optimum performance from either with just one powder. Like I say, I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong.

 

OP/44MagMan ... if you are looking for one powder that might do for either, it's been said that if you could only have one or two rifle powders you should choose IMR 4895 or Win 748. I suppose either/or both of those would do for both calibers you listed. But as DWB stated above, neither would be optimal for either. DWB gave you two pretty good options.

 

44magman,

IMR-4895, IMR 4064, IMR-4320, and IMR 43-50 are listed in Lyman Reloadiong Handbook (49th edition) as powders for both of the loads you asked about ( 30-30 150 grn & 30-06 180 grn jacket). If you went on line to Hodgdon Powders and checked their reloading data you could probably find data for the H-4895 powder (very similar to IMR-4895). In the Lyman manual the IMR-4350 is shown as potentionally the most accurate load for the 30-06 180 grn jacketed spitzer boat tail (SBT) bullet.

I have loaded for the 30-30, 35 Rem, 308 Win, 8mm Mauser, and the 30-06 using H-4895, and with decent results.

Hope this helps!

CJ

 

imr 4895 was the powder that match military ammo was loaded with for years. i used it 30-06 for years also with extreem accuracy. 4895 gives me my very best groups with 30-30 32hps 30 rem. another good combo powder for 30-30 and 30-06 is blc2 but if i had to pick one all arond powder it would 4895 in either H or IMR they are both great!

 

I have used both Win748 and IMR4064 in 30-30, 35 Remington, 308 Winchester and 30.06 with acceptable results.

 

Yep, different critters and while you may find a powder which will work in both calibers, H4895 for example, it may not be optimum in one or both.

Sit down with some good reloading books and see what is listed under both calibers. You can see the cross over powders, but more importently, the ones which give the best performence in both.

Your bullet wt. choice is good, but a bullet of good integrity in the 165gr would do also well in the 30/06.

Be aware that there bullets and there are bullets and even the higher priced ones are a very cheap part of any hunting trip and will at times pull your fat out of the fire when push comes to shove.

Again get into those books, but also be aware that each rifle is a rule unto it self and if you listen, will tell you if it likes your powder choice.


Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

 

I,ve used IMR 4064 in both the 30;30 and 30:06. It worked OK for me.

 

I agree, 4064 is a good one. 4895 was made for the 30-06. Another dandy is Reloder 15.

.

 

I like IMR4064 too, although especially for the 30-06. As you get further into reloading, you might find you'll want some AA2520, or RL15, or Leverevolution powder for the 30-30. THe 4064 will cover a braod spectrum of bullets in the 30-06 and, in my rifle anyway, it will be the most accurate for several bullets.

 

I'm waiting to see if someone mentions one I don't have covered ...

 

Another endorsement for IMR 4064 in the '06, it's all I've ever used in it from 130grns all the way to 220grns.
Haven't done enough loading for the 30-30 to recommend a powder?

 

Another endorsement for IMR 4064 in the '06, it's all I've ever used in it from 130grns all the way to 220grns.
Haven't done enough loading for the 30-30 to recommend a powder?

That is bullet weights, not powder weights.:biggrin:

 

Hey all I finally jumped into reloading and bought the lee turrent kit. Do you all have powder suggestions to use for both 30-30 and 30-06? As I'm new to this I want to keep it simple at first. Most likely I'll use 150g jacketed for the 30-30 and 180 jacketed for the 30-06 but this will depend on what's available locally. As I don't know what the local store has several suggestions would be helpful. Its about an hour drive to get powder so I can't just go down to the local mart. I've been reading here a lot but the powder combinations seem endless and all the numbers get my eyes spinning sometimes. Thanks in advance for the help. I'll post some pictures of my setup once its all together

Hi 44magman,

Congrats on making the leap to loading, I think one of the things you'll find out about the world of reloaders is the sheer magnitude of different combos and bullets and powder mixtures you'll see printed on these and other pages. The benefits of reloading are two...the cost factor...and the satisfaction factor. reloading your own rounds is not only cheaper, but theres a sence of pride when your load does what its suppose to on paper.... and it does so at 1/2 the cost of loaded ammo.. loadiing to specs using a published reloading manual is something we all do here... its a starting point for all our loads, as rarely do avg reloaders have the equipment to test pressures on any given load.

That being said...buy a few types of powder on your next trip to the gun shop...3031 is an excellent powder for the 30-30..as is 4895 for the 06.. what shoots well for me..may not for you.. thats the miracle of reloading...everyones has a special load that seems to work perfectly for their particular gun..variables for certain loads are worth noting...such as barrel whip, vibration, stock fit...diameter, all these factors can be different on any given rifle of the same, or different configuration.

Use your manual...start out with suggested load data...see what your rifle likes...and once you hit on that perfect combo..write it down...!

C45

 

WOW - Thanks to all the PhDs of powder who responded. I saw several powders in my manual that could be used for either but I wasn't sure if that was the best way to go. I'll have to see what is in stock at the store but at least now I've got some ideas to get started with. I don't have space for a powder library like Gallo but if I need a different powder for each cartridge I have space for that. Thanks again and I'll let you know how my first forray into reloading turns out.

 

Jump to it and keep us posted on your range results!:biggrin:

CJ

 

44magman,

You and others please understand I am not slamming anyone and their choice of powder here. I just take a different tack, one for me which is making the most sense.

No question but what the 4895 and the 4064 are great powders and will make a 30/06 go bang and harvest deer in fine fashion, but if I am shooting a 30/06, why shoot it at .308 velocities? If I wish to shoot at .308 velocities, which are just fine for taking game, then buy a .308 and save some money on brass and powder.

Now, I have before me the 5th addition of the Nosler reloading manuel and under the section for the 30/06 with a 180gr bullet, both of the above powders are listed. However, the velocity difference between the slowest listed "max" load with IMR4895 (this is the slowest velocity listed of all powders) and the top listed "max" load with Reloader (RL) 22 is 330fps. IMR4064 is just 38 fps faster then the 4895.

The highest velocity as stated is with the RL22 at 2872fps while the "most accurate powder tested" is AA3100 at 2780fps.

In your O.P. you ask about powders which will do in both the 30/30 and 30/06 and has been stated a number of times, there are those powders, some of which have been listed.

Just be aware that just one or two powders which are choosen in a "one size fits all" manner simply cannot provide optimum results in both of these calibers. Workable yes, optimum no.

Your choice to make, just be safe and enjoy!

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

 

If you are looking for one powder for both a .30-30, and the .30-'06, Winchester 748 is the powder. I have handloaded both calibers with 748, and taken deer with both. Hornady #4 manual lists 47.3 grains 748, with a 180 grain BTSP Max. @ 2600 FPS. Lyman 47th lists 48 grains 748 Max. with a HPBT, 180 grains @ 2632FPS. Hornady #4 lists 38.9 grains 748, with 150 grain RN @ 2300 FPS, while Lyman 47th lists 38.5 grains 748 with the same Hornady RN @ 2426FPS. It also says it is a compressed load. :biggrin: